YouTube introduces ‘YouTube Pro’ video series to help turn channel-owning hobbyists into pros

In a continuation of YouTube’s focus on user-generated content, the Google-owned video site is launching a video series to provide guidance for users that want to turn their channel from a hobby into a full-time gig.

‘YouTube Pro’ will give advice on a range of issues, such as crowdfunding, attracting and managing advertisers, using a manager, recording content series and more.

The videos will feature input from YouTube and video content pros who have been there, done that and lived the scenarios, as YouTube’s blog explains:

In addition, the company is also announcing live events that will take place in New York, Los Angeles and London soon.

YouTube recently passed its eight-year anniversary, and it revealed that users now upload 100 hours of video per hour on average. But the site has spent the last two years aiming to go beyond simply being the Web’s largest repository of video content, as it has taken steps to encourage original content and programming on its service.

This year, Google is taking the service into new territory with the recent launch of paid-for channels that are aimed at rivaling streaming services like Hulu and Netflix.

That isn’t YouTube’s first foray into original content. It kicked off its Channels program in 2011, which provides selected content partners with an undisclosed sum of funding to create content for YouTube channels. The money is not free, but instead is an up-front payment of future advertising earnings over the next year. But it does give partners a lump-sum that can be invested in equipment and talent to produce compelling shows — that’s the aim, at least.

Channels began in the US, but has since been expanded to a range of new markets, including, the UK, France, Germany and Japan, with more expansions planned.

The video series doesn’t complement Channels — such selected partners are usually at a fairly advanced stage already — it is aimed at helping those aiming to take their living from YouTube to take their first step…Channels would be a program they might later aspire to be part of.